China's Liu wins women's 200m butterfly gold in world record time

Liu Zige of China reacts during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal with a new world record of 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Liu Zige won the women's 200m butterfly gold medal in a world record time at the Beijing Olympics here on Thursday.

It is the host nation's first swimming gold at the games.

Liu touched in 2:04.18, eclipsing the previous world mark of 2:05.40 set by Australian Jessicah Schipper in 2006.

Fellow Chinese Jiao Liuyang took silver in 2:04.72 and Australia's Jessicah Schipper grabbed the bronze in 2:06.26.

Liu Zige (R) of China celebrates with teammate Jiao Liuyang during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal in with new world record of 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Liu Zige (L) of China receives congratulations from Jessicah Schipper of Australia during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal in a new world record with 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Liu Zige of China reacts during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal in a new world record with 2 minutes 04.18 seconds.

Liu Zige of China reacts during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal with a new world record of 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Liu Zige of China competes during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal in a new world record with 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fan Jun)